{"id":13834,"date":"2021-09-19T19:00:21","date_gmt":"2021-09-19T18:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/girlaroundtheworld.co.uk\/?p=13834"},"modified":"2023-05-03T17:28:55","modified_gmt":"2023-05-03T16:28:55","slug":"visit-belem-tower-lisbon-portugal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlaroundtheworld.co.uk\/visit-belem-tower-lisbon-portugal\/","title":{"rendered":"Ultimate Guide: Things To Know Before You Visit Belem Tower, Lisbon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Belem Tower (\u201cTorre de Belem\u201d in Portuguese) is located in Lisbon, Portugal and it\u2019s one of the most famous tourist attractions in Portugal. If you\u2019re planning a trip there soon, you\u2019re in luck! My ultimate guide will tell you everything you need to know about this historic site – how to get there and when to visit Belem Tower, how much it costs, things to keep in mind and things to avoid. And more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One thing to keep in mind: because it\u2019s such a popular landmark, Torre de Belem is visited by thousands of people, so the queues to enter can be VERY LONG and the process of buying your ticket can be a bit tedious. No worries though – just follow my tips below for a smoother experience. <\/strong>You can thank me later for it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s go:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>First of all, is Belem Tower worth visiting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Yes, yes and yes. After all, Belem Tower is not the most iconic attraction in Lisbon for nothing, right?! The tower is 500 years old, it\u2019s located on the northern banks of the Tagus River and it\u2019s standing proof of Portugal\u2019s glorious Age of Discovery. The tower was built in Manueline architecture (with hints of other architectural styles such as Italian, Islamic, Moorish and North African) and it\u2019s truly stunning – both on the outside and on the inside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Belem Tower has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and it was inaugurated in 1521. Inside, there\u2019s a spiral staircase to be explored, a rooftop terrace for incredible views and lots of intricate architectural details and beautiful rooms to admire. In short, Torre de Belem is a real gem worth exploring by anyone visiting Lisbon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED READ:<\/strong> 8 Places to Visit in Lisbon – A Complete Lisbon Travel Guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that I\u2019ve convinced you to check it out, let\u2019s find out all the important things to know before visiting Belem Tower:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>Everything you need to know before you visit Belem Tower in Lisbon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A brief history of Torre de Bel\u00e9m<\/h3>\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start at the beginning. The construction of the tower began under the initiative of Francisco de Arruda (a military architect and sculptor) and it lasted from 1514 until 1520. The main goal was to create an imposing structure that would guard the mouth of the Tagus River, which was the main gateway to Lisbon. You can still see the cannons on the lower level today, which were placed there for this exact purpose – defence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tower was first known as \u201cCastelo de S\u00e3o Vicente de Bel\u00e9m\u201d (Castle of Saint Vincent of Bethlehem). The purpose of the tower switched to be a state prison in 1589. This lasted about 250 years. Then Belem Tower became a customs port, then a telegraph station, then a lighthouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belem Tower became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and it stands as proof of Portugal\u2019s maritime powers and its Age of Discoveries. A full restoration and conservation took place in 1998, bringing Torre de Belem to the state you can see it in right now. Last but not least, the tower was classified as one of the \u201cSeven Wonders of Portugal\u201d in 2007.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>Where is Portugal\u2019s Belem Tower?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bel\u00e9m Tower is located in the Bel\u00e9m district, around 9 km<\/strong> from Lisbon city centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ADDRESS: <\/b>Avenida da Bras\u00edlia, Belem, Lisbon, Portugal 1400-038<\/a>
COORDINATES:<\/b> 38.691854, -9.216083
WEBSITE:<\/b> torrebelem.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s a map that will show you its exact location:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to get to Bel\u00e9m Tower<\/h3>\n\n\n

Although Bel\u00e9m Tower is not located in the heart of the city, it\u2019s very easily accessible. To get there, you can take:<\/p>\n\n\n\n